How to Pack Your Bathroom for Moving in 6 Simple Steps

Sort and Organize Your Belongings

Start by pulling out every item from your bathroom cabinets, bins, and closets so you can sort through your belongings. If your bathroom is too small for a table or additional workspace, consider putting a pop-up table outside the bathroom to lay out your items.

Then, group your items together based on category:

• Toiletries and hygiene products

• Makeup

• Cleaning supplies

• Appliances

• Medicine and medications

• Paper products

• Linens and towels

• Misc. small items and tools

Toss, Donate, or Recycle What You Don't Need

Let's be real: Bathrooms tend to be a spot where you accumulate unnecessary things, like that two-year-old bottle of empty shampoo you keep forgetting to recycle. 

Similar to packing up your kitchen, start by getting rid of any bathroom products or items you don't need. A good rule of thumb is that if you haven’t used it in the last six months, it’s time to donate, recycle, or throw it out. When weighing whether to keep items like duplicate appliances or half-empty cleaning supplies, consider the cost to replace them. The less you have to transport, the easier it will be to pack your bathroom for your move.

Keep in mind that local moving companies often have rules about items that can’t be on their trucks. Aerosols and bleach-containing chemicals often make that list, so read your rental agreement carefully to avoid any costly mistakes. Remember that you should drop extra or expired medicine off at a local drug disposal facility instead of throwing it in the trash.

Pack an "Essentials" Bag for the Move

Photo: Klaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision/ Getty Images

Before you begin packing up your bathroom supplies, think about what you’ll need during the first week in your new home. That way, if a delay in transit happens, you're still covered and don't need to run to the store.

Essentials may include:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Deodorant

• Medicine

• Soap and shampoo 

• Shaving supplies

• Feminine products

• Toilet paper

• Makeup

Pack Small Items Into Bags, Not Boxes

Instead of filling moving boxes to the brim with light items, use reusable grocery bags to transport the small stuff, including anything that typically sits on the bathroom counter.

Reusable grocery bags can hold around 20 pounds, making them a suitable (and often free) option for packing up your bathroom. After packing the bag, label it with a marker or a piece of tape so you’ll be able to easily recognize its contents.

Pack Your Moving Boxes

For larger and more fragile items, you may need a few moving boxes. The right moving boxes may vary based on what kind of items you need to pack, but if you aren’t sure which type to choose, sturdy 12x12x12 moving boxes are always a good option.

One way to reduce wasted box space or use fewer boxes is to use towels or other linens to insulate fragile items instead of bubble wrap. This option works especially well for items made of ceramic or glass. Plus, you can always use bubble wrap and a towel for guaranteed safety. Don’t forget to label the outside of each box before you seal it for easy unpacking later.

Seal or Dispose of Cleaning Supplies

Whether you're moving out of a rental or a home you're selling, you likely need to clean the bathroom before you go. It's easiest to do this once you've got all of your personal items out of the bathroom.

For safety purposes, transport cleaning supplies in an airtight plastic bag. You may want to consider placing them inside a plastic tub, too, for better reinforcement. Spilled chemicals in a moving truck or van can be a nightmare—and a violation of your lease agreement.